Merle Simon enjoys her weekly takeaway fish and chips, her little dog Bambi and living in independently at her home in Sydney’s southwest as she marks her century.

With her big birthday being celebrated by HammondCare on the eve of Valentine’s Day, Merle acknowledges that the passing of time has dwindled her friends and family numbers. She would gladly welcome having any additional friends.

Her great love, her husband Noel, died nine years ago from Alzheimer’s disease. She nursed Noel to the end at home. 

Merle said it was 40 years of marriage to a “wonderful” man so clever he meticulously rebuilt a vintage Tiger Moth biplane in their backyard. The aircraft was sold to a Gold Coast joy flight operator.

Noel had a very quiet and gentle personality. They used to go on many outings and drives in the countryside. Merle said she misses these outings and would love to continue to have them. “I might be turning 100 years old, but I am not dead yet,” she said.

Merle celebrated her birthday with a party on Thursday, February 13, with friends from Hammond Care’s Ironbark Social Club, Hammondville with the expected messages of congratulation from King Charles and politicians. 

Merle continues to live in her own home at Raby with the assistance of the HammondCare Home Care team, who have provided support for her for more than 10 years. Merle remains sharp of mind. She is still mobile, although a walker helps when she leaves the home.

Merle is one of a growing group of HammondCare Home Care clients – now numbering 29 - living independently at age 100 or more. 

Born at Maryanne Street, Ultimo in 1925, Merle has experienced great joy, romance and some heartbreak during her life. The fifth of seven children, Merle’s parents divorced with the siblings sent to live with extended family. Merle and brother Jack went with their father to live with their paternal grandmother in Kingsgrove.

After finishing school at 14, Merle joined the staff at the Wonder Welts Shoes factory, Erskineville, producing men’s shoes. She worked her way over 15 years to a forelady position overseeing 100 staff. War memories include packing care packs in Arnott’s biscuit tins for her brother Allan serving in Europe.

Merle, while living back at Ultimo, met neighbour Rueben McKewon, a Sydney City Council employee. The two married 1947, but the marriage was doomed. “Rueben was a nice man, but he was weak.  I was working two jobs to get by, but we weren’t getting anywhere,” she said.

In the 1960s Merle went bush. She travelled to the Atherton Tablelands, North Queensland to work on a dairy farm owned by her brother Jack. 

Later, after returning to Sydney, Merle was staying with older brother Earl at Condell Park when she crossed paths with Noel Simon, a bachelor aircraft mechanic based at Bankstown Airport. The two married in 1975.

Merle’s nephew John Davis said Merle and Noel never had children, but their home was a haven for others, including extended family. This included Merle’s disabled sister Dorothy.

“When Merle’s mother died, they took on full time care of Dorothy. They provided Dorothy with much love and gave her a good life by taking her on many outings and parties and functions at home,” John said.

HammondCare Home Care General Manager Marcella Carrasco said the care team led by Vicky Bourke were honoured to contribute to Merle’s life and celebrate her landmark birthday with her. “Merle’s care team view it as a privilege to work with Merle to support her decision to live independently at her Raby home,” Marcella said.